Where to Start Researching Company Information
Initial company research can include:
Google search for the company name
Company website
Databases - more information below and throughout this LibGuide
Yahoo! Finance is another good starting point for basic company information
State of Incorporation or Formation
The Place of Incorporation/Formation may be different than the business' principal office location.
Many entities are incorporated in Delaware due to laws favorable to business entities (see RINN Law Library, DePaul Law School Business Entities & Business Organizations LibGuide for more information on business entities). Sometimes the company's website will disclose the state of incorporation.
Know the Corporate Form & Secretary of State Information
Know the Corporate Form
Locating information about a company can be challenging, especially if it is small and not heavily regulated. Business license- Check the county or city clerk's office. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships usually do not have to file with the state's secretary of state office, unless they are conducting business under a trade name or fictitious name. Basically, domestic general partnerships and sole proprietorships do not need to file unless they are transacting business under a name other than their own personal name.
A general internet and/or company website search may yield some information about smaller companies.
Corporations formed in a particular state must file with that State's Secretary of State, as do Limited Partnerships, LLCs and LLPs formed in the state.
Foreign companies planning to transact business in a certain state typically must register with that state's secretary of state's office if they are operating under a name other than their own personal name. Laws may vary among states as to what filings are required.
Other Databases to Explore
Some databases are freely available on the web while others are available only by subscription.
- In addition to law school and university libraries, check your local public library's website to see what databases are offered.
- One example of a subscription business databases available via libraries is Mergent Market Atlas (fka Mergent Online). This database offers powerful and intuitive search capabilities providing access to a multitude of company, industry, country, index, ESG and economic data displays and reports. Some of the key company data provided include global standardized and as-reported fundamentals, ratio analysis, historical equity pricing, SEC filings and annual reports, sustainability (ESG) scores, officers & directors biographies and compensation, geographic and business segment data, consensus estimates and industry classification schemas.